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Electrician dies from being pinned between iron pipe and articulated boom-supported aerial work platform control panel.

On Monday, November 3, 2003, a 55-year-old electrician had been given an assignment to strip out a section of wiring and conduit from an overhead electrical service. He was operating an articulated boom-supported elevated work platform, JLG Model 660SF, to access an overhead junction box. Another worker had been assigned as a ground person during this construction activity. The ground person indicated he had walked to the front of the unit when he heard a scraping sound. He called out but received no response. As he called out, he and two other employees looked up saw the decedent pinned with his back against a 6-inch diameter iron fire protection water pipe and his chest against the control panel at the front of the work platform basket. They tried to override the basket panel controls the decedent had been using to operate the work platform, but could not do so, because the key that would allow them to access the controls from the ground was missing from the ground control panel switch. They estimated that three to four minutes passed until they could find a key that allowed them to lower the basket. Another employee used a non-JLG key to gain control of the work platform and lower it to the ground. When they did gain control, the basket and the boom fell abruptly to the dirt floor of the plant. The local fire department and its EMS squad responded to the incident. They found the decedent in the basket on the floor of the plant. Emergency treatment was administered at the plant. He was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead approximately one hour after the incident occurred. Recommendations: 1. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) should evaluate and consider modifying ANSI A92.S standard titled "The American National Standard for Self Propelled Elevating Work Platforms" and encourage manufacturers and distributors to follow the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Standard for articulated boom-supported aerial work platforms regarding providing pressure sensor/relief valves on their equipment. 2. Limit the number of brands of aerial lifts purchased or leased by a facility. 3. Tether the key that operates the equipment from the ground controls to the ground control panel. 4. Conduct a written pre-work inspection on equipment and ensure workers do not operate equipment until it is repaired when the pre-work inspection reveals faults such as defeated or missing safety devices. 5. Ensure that employee training is appropriate and specific for each type of equipment workers will be using.